THEATRE

[ Alfred Turner, Manager of the Saville Theatre. ] Autograph Letter Signed, a letter of condolence to the widow of the composer Herman Finck.

Author: 
Alfred Turner [ 'Tubby' ] (d.1941), manager of actor Cyril Maude and General Manager of Saville Theatre, London [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer ]
Publication details: 
On his letterhead as General Manager of the Saville Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London. 21 April 1939.
£40.00

1p., 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. John Bennion Booth discusses Turner in his 'Old Pink 'un Days' (1925). 'My Wife and I want to express to you and your daughters our great and very real sympathy in your great loss. I sincerely mourn with you for I have lost a very old friend of many years.' He hopes that 'Time, the great healer' will help her in her sorrow. Finck's 'In the Shadows' was one of the last songs played as RMS Titanic went down.

[ Arthur Davenport, librettist. ] Typed Letter Signed to composer Herman Finck regarding his appeal to the Musicias' Benevolent Fund, his career, and two books sent to E. V. Lucas of Methuen & Co.

Author: 
Arthur Davenport, librettist with H. G. Pellissier (1874-1913) and Charles Wibrow, playwright on BBC 'Children's Hour' [ Herman Finck [ Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), composer; E. V. Lucas ]
Publication details: 
11 Primrose Hill Road, N.W.3. [ London ] 9 April 1931.
£65.00

1p., 4to. On aged and worn paper. Thirty-eight lines of text. Written with the forced Wodehousian bonhommie of a desperate man. He has had an operation at a nursing home, so the beginning of the letter needs to be taken metaphorically: 'My dear Finck, | This is a nice kettle of Fish and no mistake! | Came out of jail day before yesterday, but only on ticket-of-leave. Strict police supervision for two years - finger-prints - strawberry-marks - nothing kept secret! | However, they say they can make a job of it and my tail, such as it is, remains vertical.

[ Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson, actor. ] Three Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Johnston') to his sister the artist Cecilia, on family matters, with a description of his passage across the Atlantic on a troop ship.

Author: 
Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson (1853-1937), distinguished Shakespearian actor [ Cecilia Forbes-Robertson, artist ]
Publication details: 
First: 10 June 1916, letterhead of Hartsbourne Manor, Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire. Second: 28 December 1917, letterhead of 18 Sussex Square, Brighton. Third: 4 October 1915; Wychdene, St. Cliff Parade, Broadstairs.
£100.00

All three items in good condition, lightly aged and worn, and all in envelopes addressed by him to her at 48 Hogarth Road, South Kensington (the third 'Earls Court'). ONE: 10 June 1916. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. He begins by expressing a desire to visit the family, and then gives directions for the use of field glasses which he is sending his father. 'They are German I am sorry to say, but the best.' TWO: 28 December 1917. 2pp., 12mo. He found her 'beautiful drawing' on his return home, and 'Auntie Gertrude will see it today. - I was thirteen days at sea, the ship having to go up to Halifax.

[ W. S. Percy, Australian comedian and travel writer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. S. Percy'), a letter of condolence to the widow of Herman Finck..

Author: 
W. S. Percy [ William Stratford Percy ] (1872-1946), Australian stage comedian and travel writer [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer and conductor ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 25 Cholmley Gardens, London. 21 April 1939.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. He expresses the 'deepest regret' at his 'dear friend's death [...] His passing will mean a great loss both to his friends & the world of music.' The word 'Answered' is written at the head. Percy made his in Australia in the productions of J. C. Williamson. He toured America before settling in England. Finck's 'In the Shadows' was one of the last pieces played by the orchestra on the Titanic.

[ Oscar Barrett, musical director. ] Autograph Letter Signed, a letter of condolence to the widow of composer Herman Finck

Author: 
Oscar Barrett (1846-1941), musical director of Augustus Harris, producer of pantomimes at the Crystal Palace and the Olympic Theatre, London [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939) ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 2 Coleherne Mansions, 226 Old Brompton Road, S.W.5. [ London ] 22 April 1939.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He writes that 'The passing on of such a dear man as Herman leaves a blank in many many peoples lives & those who had the priviledge [sic] of his friendship can the better realise all you must be suffering at the present time.' He concludes by telling her that her 'grief is shared' by Finck's 'countless friends', and that she must have a 'sweet solace' in the memory of 'the many joyous times spent in his company'. The word 'Answered' is written at the head.

[ George Graves, comic actor. ] Autograph Letter Signed, a warm letter of condolence to the widow of the composer Herman Finck.

Author: 
George Graves [ George Windsor Graves ] (1876-1949), English comic actor [ Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer and conductor ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 96 New Cavendish Street, W.1. [ London ]. 22 [ April 1939 ].
£50.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. The letter is addressed to 'My poor dear', and he writes 'with deepest sympathy' with 'your terrible loss of dear Herman. I little thought that my last visit would be the last.' It is 'perhaps poor consolation' to her, but Finck's passing 'hits all his pals very hard indeed. For he was dearly loved by everybody.' He urges her to 'Be brave, my dear, & be sure we are all thinking of you in this awful time.' 'Ans:' (i.e. 'Answered') is written at the head. See Graves's entry in the Oxford DNB.

[ Francis Collinson, musicologist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Francis M. Collinson'), a letter of condolence to the widow of composer Herman Finck, conveying the 'tributes' to his memory made at a meeting of the Musical Conductors' Association.

Author: 
Francis M. Collinson [ Francis James Montgomery Collinson ] (1898-1984), musical director and musicologist [ Herman Finck [born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer and conductor]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Musical Conductors' Association [ London ]. 5 May 1939.
£90.00

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. Collinson is named as Honorary Secretary of the Association on the letterhead. He begins by explaining that he has waited until after the previous day's meeting of the Association to write to her, so that he can convey 'the tributes to your late husband's memory which I felt sure would be shown at this gathering of his friends and colleagues'. 'Mr Frederick Austin as chairman referred to the great loss which we all felt in the passing of Herman Finck, and spoke of his great qualities both as a friend and as a musician.

[ Alfred Wareing, repertory theatre pioneer. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Alfred Wareing'), a letter of condolence to the widow of conductor Herman Finck.

Author: 
Alfred Wareing [ Alfred John Wareing ] (1876-1942), founder of the League of Audiences and repertory theatre pioneer
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The League of Audiences, London. 27 April 1939.
£65.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. 'Your dear husband was one of my oldest and most valued friends in my Savage Club circle; his place can never be filled as you, more than any of us, know and with deep sorrow.' Wareing joined Sir Frank Benson's company in 1900. In 1909 he founded the first Citizens' Theatre in an English-speaking country. On his death The Times (13 April 1942) referred to him as 'a repertory theatre pioneer'. The word 'Answered' is written at the head. Finck's 'In the Shadows' was one of the last pieces played by the orchestra on the Titanic.

[ Ackworth School, Yorkshire. ] Printed playscript of 'The Ackworth Pageant', 1910.

Author: 
[ Ackworth School, Yorkshire; The Ackworth Pageant, 1910; Helen Bullock; R. B. Walker; Dr Ernest B. Ludlam; Quakers; Society of Friends ]
Publication details: 
Pontefract: J. Atkinson & Sons, Printers and Publishers, Star Works. [ 1910. ]
£35.00

32pp., 8vo. With two photographic plates: 'The Pageant Ground' and 'The Friends' School, Ackworth'. Stapled booklet in grey wraps with '1910 | THE ACKWORTH PAGEANT.' on cover, with illustration of two turrets. In fair condition, on aged paper, in worn wraps, with rusting staples. 'Finale' ('The whole School will sing') by Dr Ernest B. Ludlam, followed by page of details of 'Incidental Music' ('specially composed by Miss Helen Bullock, I.R.A.M., A.R.C.M.'), 'Orchestra' ('Mr. R. B. Walker has kindly consented to conduct') and 'Committees'.

[ Sir Alfred Butt, theatre impressario. ] Five Typed Letters Signed (all 'Alfred Butt') to the composer Herman Finck, on a variety of topics

Author: 
Sir Alfred Butt (1878-1962), theatre impressario, Managing Director, Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Palace Theatre, London [ Herman Finck [ Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer ]
Publication details: 
All five on London letterheads. First, The Palace Theatre Ld., Shaftesbury Avenue, 1912; second, Garrick House, Lisle Street, 1921; third and fourth Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Ltd., 1926 and 1931; fifth, Seymour House, 17 Waterloo Place, 1931.
£120.00

Five letters, each 1p., 4to. In fair condition, aged and creased. ONE: Palace Theatre, 4 July 1912. In capitals. Conveying the thanks of the King and Queen to the members of the orchestra for their work at the previous night's royal performance, and adding, for Finck: 'I have already told you how much I appreciate what you did on Monday night and the splendid manner in which you conducted. The success of the performance would have been impossible without your invaluable assistance.' TWO: Garrick House, 23 March 1921.

[ Printed item. ] Souvenir of The Hundredth Performance of Bric-a-Brac. [ With tipped-in photographs of seven actors including Gertie Millar; Teddie Gerrard; Arthur Playfair; Nelson Keys.

Author: 
Sir Alfred Butt, Managing Director, The Palace Theatre, London [ Norman Keene; Herman Finck; Arthur Wimperis; Basil Hood; Lionel Monckton; Gertie Millar; Teddie Gerrard; Arthur Playfair; Nelson Keys ]
Publication details: 
The Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W. [ London ] Wednesday, December 15th, 1915.
£56.00

Ten unpaginated 26 x 22 cm. leaves, comprising three leaves of letterpress (cover, title and back cover), and seven leaves each with a 17 x 14 cm black-and-white photograph laid down. A frail survival, with the photographic portraits in good condition, but the brittle leaves chipped and discoloured. One bifolium intact (with remains of string binding), all the other leaves detached and loose, making it difficult to ascertain whether the item is or is not complete. (The entry for the only copy traced on OCLC WorldCat, at the Universitätsbibliothek Bayreuth, describes it as ' 6 Bl.

[ James Robinson Planché, dramatist, antiquary and herald. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J: R.:Planché') to Sir John Harington of Ridlington, advising him on the purchase of family 'relics' (prints) and discussing his pedigree.

Author: 
James Robinson Planché [ J. R. Planché ] (1796-1880), dramatist, antiquary and herald [ Sir John Harington of Ridlington ]
Publication details: 
'Dymchurch. | Friday.' [ no date ]
£180.00

8pp., 12mo. On two bifoliums. In good condition, lightly aged. The letter begins: 'I think your Mr. B charges a long price for his relics and if the tomb of Sir John Chappell who apparently married a Harington is in existence you mght have as good drawing for it for the money. (Five Guineas!) The Print however may be rare but of that I am no judge.

[ George Reginald Bacchus, erotic author. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('G. Reginald Bacchus') to the composer Herman Finch, recounting his early memories of the Palace Theatre.

Author: 
G. Reginald Bacchus [ George Reginald Bacchus ] (1874-1945), erotic author who published with the Erotika Biblion Society [ Herman Finck [ Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer ]
Publication details: 
Avenue Nursing Home, 59 Bridge Avenue, Hammersmith, W6 [ London ]. 9 December 1917.
£120.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and creased. Begins: 'Dear Finch, | Tomorrow - I read - you will have "done time" for a quarter of a century in Cambridge Circus.' He recalls that it is 'just ten months longer - Feb 1892, that I first went into the Cambridge Circus doors to hear "Ivanhoe." I was then a blushing undergraduate at Oxford, and "Jimmy's" and the long bar at the Cri [i.e.

[ Frank Eyton, lyricist. ] Autograph Note Signed ('Frank Eyton') accompanying his typed original humorous poem about road works 'A Finchley Road Cameo'; together with a Typed Letter Signed ('Frank') of reminiscences and family news.

Author: 
Frank Eyton (1894-1962), English popular music lyricist [ Herman Finck [ Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer ]
Publication details: 
Typed Letter Signed on letterhead of The Montecito, Hollywood, California, 20 September 1937. Autograph Note with Typed Poem on his letterhead, 12 Lowther Mansions, Barnes, S.W.13 [ London ]. 24 December 1937.
£120.00

Both items in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Typed Poem followed by Autograph Note Signed. 24 December 1937. 2pp., 8vo. The poem consists of eleven four-line stanzas, with the title typed in red. An apparently unpublished humorous poem, quite charming and well worthy of publication. Begins: 'For months we've had electric road-drills | Right outside our door, | And two gentlemen who play them | Called in yesterday at four.

[ Printed items. ] Leichner of London, stage make up manufacturers: set of sixteen 'Leichner Make-Up Charts', notes on 'Casualty Faking' for Civil Defence Training, and other material.

Author: 
L. Leichner (London) Ltd., make-up for stage, film, photography and television, founded by Ludwig Leichner (1838-1912)
Publication details: 
L. Leichner (London) Ltd., Leichner House, Acre Lane, SW2; Leichner Make-Up and Beauty Studio 44a Cranbourn Street, WC2. One item dted April 1958 and the others from the same period.
£180.00

The material is in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Set of 16 black and white 'Leichner Make-Up Charts', each on a loose 22 x 13.5 cm piece of art paper. Complete with covering leaf. Illustration and instructions on how to prepare make-up for characters including 'Haggard Man', 'Villain', 'Stage Butler', 'Italian', 'Arab', 'Clown', 'Red Indian', 'Oriental', 'Jovial Woman' and 'Ballet'. TWO: Duplicated Typescript titled 'Casualty Faking'. 6pp., 4to.

[ Horace Annesley Vachell, English author. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Horace Vachell') to theatre historian Barry Duncan, including anecdote about his naked brother under the 'luncheon table'. With carbon copies of two letters from Duncan.

Author: 
Horace Vachell [ Horace Annesley Vachell; H. A. Vachell ] (1861-1955), English author [ Barry Duncan [ Horace Alexander Barry Duncan ] (1909-1985), London theatre historian and bookseller ]
Publication details: 
The Priory House, Sherborne, Dorset. 16 July 1953.
£56.00

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, aged and worn. He begins with regard to a change of address ('Widcombe Manor - where I was overhoused and understaffed - is for sale.'), and continues with reference to a booklet ('I chuckled over the illustrations'),as well as his book 'An Impending Sword' (written 'in the naughty nineties, long before I met Dot Boucicault, whose experiences were then unknwon to me'), and the Princess Royal. He concludes: 'I never heard the yarn of the man who stripped himself. I can cap it. My brother, Arthur, vanished from the luncheon table.

[Printed 'album', with programme. ] The exhibition Le Théatre de la Mode in London | Sponsored by the "Continental Daily Mail" | under the auspices of “L'Association Francaise d'Action artistique” | In aid of British and French charities.

Author: 
Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, Théâtre de la Mode, 1945-1946 [ Gérard Bauër; Christian Bérard; Jean Saint-Martin; Eliane Bonabel; Rebull; Boris Kochno; Michel de Brunhoff ]
Publication details: 
[ Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, Paris. ] 'This album was compiled and produced by Aljanvic Publicité under the supervision of Boris Kochno and printed by l'Imprimerie de Bobigny. Paris, August 1945.'
£200.00

Substantial unpaginated ring-bound 4to volume, with striking coloured cover illustration by Christian Bérard. Internally in fair condition, lightly aged and worn, in worn covers detaching from ring binding. A stylish volume, printed on both shiny art paper and thick rough grey stock. In three sections: 'The Story of this Exhibition'; 'Style in French Art by Gérard Bauër' and 'Twelve Scenes'. Profusely illustrated, including tipped-in plates. Several pages of advertisements for up-market Parisian shops at front and rear.

[ William John Charles Pitcher Wilhelm, costume designer.] Illustrations of costumes for the Empire Theatre ballet 'The Press' (1898), each representing a Fleet Street newspaper.

Author: 
[ William John Charles Pitcher Wilhelm (1858-1925), costume and theatre designer; Empire Theatre, London; Leopold Wenzel; Katti Lanner; Dame Adeline Genée (1878-1970), ballet dancer; Fleet Street ]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [ Ballet performed at the Empire Theatre, London in 1898.]
£50.00

In black and white on 34 x 23 cm shiny art paper. Possibly extracted from an unnamed periodical. Lightly aged and worn, and ruckled from being laid down on paper backing. Tiny chip lost at foot. Sixteen female figures are shown, in costumes representing newspapers from the 'Daily Mail' to 'The Sketch', and including 'Mdlle. Zangfretta as Fashion', around a central representation of a scene from the ballet, featuring Adeline Genée as the Liberty of the Press.

[ Phyllis Hartnoll, theatre historian and poet. ] Four Typed Letters Signed to the theatrical bookseller Barry Duncan, with other material relating to the purchase of items from him.

Author: 
Phyllis Hartnoll (1906-1997), theatre historian, musicoloist, poet and publisher [ Barry Duncan [ Horace Alexander Barry Duncan ] (1909-1985), London theatre historian ]
Publication details: 
Three of the letters on Oxford University Press letterheads. Other items addressed from her home, Hobbits, Nether Westcote, Kingham, Oxon. 1945 and 1946.
£180.00

Nine items. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Heavily annotated by Duncan. The letters (each 1p. long, two in 4to and two in 8vo) concern her orders and wants'. On 23 April 1945 she writes: 'I find on looking through the Play Pictorial bound volumes that No. 28 His Highness My Husband is missing. It is not a very important one, in fact I don't remember hearing of the play before, but if you happen to have a copy among your single numbers, I should be glad to have it, in order to complete the volume.

[ Norman Forbes-Robertson on his 'sensitive hearted friend' W. S. Gilbert of Gilbert & Sullivan. ] Carbon typescript of 'Laughter Loving Friends. | On the Stage | Sir William Gilbert. | by | Norman Forbes.'

Author: 
'Norman Forbes' [ Norman Forbes-Robertson (1858-1932), actor and brother of Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson [ W. S. Gilbert [ William Schwenck Gilbert ] (1836-1911), librettist; Gilbert and Sullivan ]
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£200.00

9pp., 4to. In good condition, on nine leaves of lightly-aged paper. With three deletions in pencil. A stalwart of the Garrick Club, Forbes-Robertson was a friend of Dame Ellen Terry, Oscar Wilde and Sir Edward Elgar, and organised Sir Henry Irving's funeral with Bram Stoker. There is no indication that this paper was ever published.

[ Frank E. Tours, Hollywood composer and musical director. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Frank Tours') to the theatre historian W. J. Macqueen-Pope, containing reminiscences of his London theatre days (George Dance, Marie Lloyd, Stanley Logan).

Author: 
Frank E. Tours [ Frank Tours; Frank Edward Tours ] (1877-1963), English-born Hollywood composer and musical director (Marx Brothers; Citizen Kane; The Emperor Jones) [ W. J. Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960)]
Publication details: 
South Laguna. 20 January 1951.
£200.00

3pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with slight staining to one corner from paper clip. A good letter, filled with detail. Apart from brief opening and closing paragraphs the whole of the letter is devoted to reminiscences of his life before leaving England for America. At one point he comments: 'it is only when one is thinking back, as I am now, that one realizes the speed with which time fugits; it is now 21 years since I have been home, and 30 years since Bob and I were in "Irene" at the Empire.' The reminiscences begin: 'Barring a trip to U. S. and Australia with G. P.

[ Dulcie Gray, actress. ] Copy of typescript of 1991 autobiography 'Looking Forward, Looking Back'; corrected typescript of first part of unpublished book 'Four Years'; prompt copies for her and her husband of their autobiographical play 'Curtain Up'

Author: 
'Dulcie Gray' [ Dulcie Winifred Catherine Savage Bailey ] (1915-2011), actress, wife of actor Michael Denison [ (John) Michael Terence Wellesley Denison ] (1915-1998)
Publication details: 
None of the three items with place or date. 'Looking Forward, Looking Back' published in 1991. 'Four Years', 1940s or 1950s. The prompt copies for production of 'Curtain Up' at the Guildford Theatre, 1998.
£650.00

Gray - who in addition to her acting career was a crime novelist and lepidopterist - has an excellent entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, which also carries details of Denison. ONE: Typescript of 'Four Years | By | Dulcie Gray'. [2] + 63pp., 4to. Stapled. With front brown-paper cover with red label bearing title, with stamp of typewriting agency Ethel Christian, 36-38 Southampton Street, Strand. Signature of 'Michael Denison' at head of title-page. On aged and worn paper, and lacking the last couple of leaves and back cover.

[ Anouilh ] A collection of material, mainly correspondence, from the papers of Edward Marsh, translator of Anouilh and others, including two ALsS in French from Anouilh and a publishing agreement signed by him (about 40 items).

Author: 
Jean Anouilh, French playwright [Edward O. Marsh, translator and biographer of Anouilh].
Publication details: 
1951-1967.
£350.00

A small archive of material relating to the translation into English and production in the UK and USA of works by Jean Anouilh (particularly "Dinner with the Family"), comprising: A. Two Autograph Letters Signed "Jean Anouilh", in French, to Edward Marsh, translator and biographer of Anouilh, one dated in pencil "Feb. 1953", one of two pages, the other of one, both 4to, condition only fair.

{Printed] The Stage Society News, nos. 1-26 (14 Nov. 1903-23 May 1907 = Fifth Season). With an incomplete run of Programmes, 1901-1938.

Author: 
[The Stage Society; ?Allan Wade (1881 – 1955), actor, theatre director and writer, bibliographer of Yeats.]
Publication details: 
1903-1907
£400.00

Unbound, 4-16pp, 8vo and 4to, minor damage to two, mainly good condition. Articles, reviews, programmes, information, advertisements. In the first number, for example, there is an introductory, anticipations of Gorki's "Lower Depths", a Brieuz, and Shaw's "Caesar and Cleopatra", "New Members Elected" (inc. Mrs Pethwick-Lawrence), events, former productions, "Managing Committee", "Rules for 1903-1904", "Bye_law (e.g. removal of hats by Ladies), and advertisements.

[ J.M. Barrie ] Original coloured illustrations of Napoleonic costume designs for 1934 production at His Majesty's Theatre, London, of J. M. Barrie's play 'Josephine'

Author: 
[Costume designs for the 1934 production of 'Josephine' by J. M. Barrie, at His Majesty's Theatre, London] [Lady Helen Beerbohm Tree; George Grossmith Jnr; Lyn Harding; Spencer Trevor; Allan Jeayes]
Publication details: 
1934; His Majesty's Theatre, London.
£350.00

Twelve pages of illustrations, each on a separate leaf. Seven are portrait folio, four are portrait 8vo, and one is landscape 8vo. All clear and complete, on aged and creased paper. All coloured in watercolour. The seven folio portraits are: Napoleon as First Consul; Talma; Eugene; Moustache ('Mr. Lyn Harding [(1867-1952)]'); two 'Flunkies'; and Austrian Ambassador ('Mr Spencer Trevor [(1875-1945)]'). The four portrait 8vo illustrations consist of: two of Larose ('Lady Tree [Lady Helen Beerbohm Tree (1858-1937)]'); Louise ('Miss Lemand') and the overcoat of Talma ('Mr.

[ Edward Askew Sothern, English actor. ] Autograph Signature ('E. A. Sothern | Haymarket Theatre.') on part of letter.

Author: 
E. A. Sothern [ Edward Askew Sothern ] (1826-1881), English actor, best-known for playing Lord Dundreary in 'Our American Cousin'
Publication details: 
Haymarket Theatre [ London ]. Undated.
£20.00

On one side of 6 x 10 cm piece cut from the end of a letter. In fair condition, aged, ruckled and a little faded. Reads: '<...> kindly pass | Very soon | If convenient | & oblige - | E. A. Sothern | Haymarket Theatre.'

[ Charles Fechter, Anglo-English actor. ] Autograph Signature ('Ch. Fechter') and authorisation of admission to '2 boxes' at the Adelphi Theatre, London.

Author: 
Charles Fechter [ Charles Albert Fechter ] (1824-1879), Anglo-French actor
Publication details: 
Adelphi Theatre, London. 23 December [ no year ].
£20.00

On one side of a 7 x 9 cm piece of laid paper. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn; apparently cut down. Reads: 'Adelphi | Admit 2 boxes | Wed. Dec 23 | Ch. Fechter'. Good bold signature.

[ Sir Henry Irving. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('H Irving') to 'Lord Gray', regarding a theatre box.

Author: 
Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905), eminent Victorian actor-manager
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 15A, Grafton Street, Bond Street, W. [ London ] 15 February [ no year ].
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. In a difficult hand. He hopes there is 'no misunderstanding about the box for tonight', which is reserved in the recipient's name at the theatre: '& you have only to ask for your box'. He ends: 'We shall meet tonight I hope after the play.'

[ Charles Kemble, actor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('C. Kemble.') to C. R. Smith, correcting a mistake regarding the British Archaeological Association.

Author: 
Charles Kemble (1775-1854), English actor [ C. R. Smith [ Charles Roach Smith ] (1807-1890), antiquary and archaeologist; British Archaeological Association ]
Publication details: 
Athenaeum Club [ London ]. 27 August 1847.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight rust spotting around date at head. He explains that it is 'under a mistake' that he has been 'proposed as an Associate of the Central Committee of the British Archaeological Association', and he declines the 'honor intended' with 'sincere thanks'.

[ J. C. Williamson Ltd., Australian theatre management firm. ] Collection of 15 numbers of 'J. C. Williamson Ltd. Magazine Programme' and two numbers of 'Theatre Royal Magazine Programme'.

Author: 
J. C. Williamson Ltd., Australian theatre management firm, founded by American actor James Cassius Williamson (1845-1913)
Publication details: 
[ Printed by Whitmarks Ltd, Sydney, Australia, for the publishers City Ads. Ltd. ] The 17 numbers dating from between 1928 and 1941.
£220.00

The collection is in fair condition, with rusted staples, and slight age and wear to the covers of most of the numbers, with a handful in not such good condition, the covers of one of them being almost detached. All 4to, and ranging in length between 20pp. and 64pp. Well-illustrated, with coloured covers, biographies, news and gossip, relating to actors, plays, the chain and its theatres, as well as wider topics such as 'Russian Ballet in London', 'A Few Toilet Hints. By Phyllis Monkman', 'The Grenadier Guards Band. Shortly to Tour Australia', and 'Modern Make-Up'. By Miss May Murray.

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